U.S. patent application number 11/550973 was filed with the patent office on 2008-04-24 for dynamic creation of mail aliases usable in electronic communications.
This patent application is currently assigned to INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION. Invention is credited to Janet Morgan, Johnny M. Shieh.
Application Number | 20080098069 11/550973 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 39319350 |
Filed Date | 2008-04-24 |
United States Patent
Application |
20080098069 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Morgan; Janet ; et
al. |
April 24, 2008 |
DYNAMIC CREATION OF MAIL ALIASES USABLE IN ELECTRONIC
COMMUNICATIONS
Abstract
Mail aliases are dynamically created in response to replies of
an electronic mail (e-mail) communication. An e-mail communication
is sent to a plurality of recipients, and one or more recipients of
the e-mail communication respond to the e-mail. In response to
receiving the replies, one or more mail aliases are automatically
created.
Inventors: |
Morgan; Janet; (Beaverton,
OR) ; Shieh; Johnny M.; (Austin, TX) |
Correspondence
Address: |
HESLIN ROTHENBERG FARLEY & MESITTI P.C.
5 COLUMBIA CIRCLE
ALBANY
NY
12203
US
|
Assignee: |
INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES
CORPORATION
Armonk
NY
|
Family ID: |
39319350 |
Appl. No.: |
11/550973 |
Filed: |
October 19, 2006 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
709/206 |
Current CPC
Class: |
H04L 51/14 20130101;
G06Q 10/107 20130101; H04L 51/28 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
709/206 |
International
Class: |
G06F 15/16 20060101
G06F015/16 |
Claims
1. A method of dynamically creating mail aliases usable in
electronic communications, said method comprising: receiving a
response to an electronic mail sent to a plurality of recipients,
said receiving comprising receiving one or more responses from one
or more recipients of the plurality of recipients; and
automatically creating one or more mail aliases, in response to
receiving the one or more responses.
2. The method of claim 1, wherein the automatically creating
comprises automatically creating a mail alias of non-responders
that includes the one or more recipients of the plurality of
recipients that have not responded to the electronic mail and
excludes the one or more recipients of the plurality of recipients
that have responded to the electronic mail.
3. The method of claim 1, wherein the automatically creating
comprises automatically creating a mail alias of responders that
includes the one or more recipients of the plurality of recipients
that have responded to the electronic mail and excludes the one or
more recipients of the plurality of recipients that have not
responded to the electronic mail.
4. The method of claim 1, wherein the automatically creating
comprises creating the one or more mail aliases without user
intervention based on the one or more responses.
5. The method of claim 1, wherein the automatically creating is
performed in response to receiving the one or more responses and in
response to an occurrence of a predetermined event.
6. The method of claim 5, wherein the predetermined event comprises
one of expiration of a predetermined amount of time and receipt of
a selected number of replies.
7. The method of claim 1, wherein the automatically creating
comprises: determining whether a mail alias of non-responders is to
be created; creating a mail alias of non-responders, in response to
the determining indicating the mail alias of non-responders is to
be created, said mail alias of non-responders comprising the one or
more recipients of the plurality of recipients that have not
responded to the electronic mail and excluding the one or more
recipients of the plurality of recipients that have responded to
the electronic mail; determining whether a mail alias of responders
is to be created; and creating the mail alias of responders, in
response to the determining indicating the mail alias of responders
is to be created, said mail alias of responders comprising the one
or more recipients of the plurality of recipients that have
responded to the electronic mail and excluding the one or more
recipients of the plurality of recipients that have not responded
to the electronic mail.
8. The method of claim 1, wherein the plurality of recipients are
identified in a mail alias.
9. The method of claim 8, wherein at least one mail alias of the
one or more mail aliases automatically created comprises a modified
version of the mail alias.
10. The method of claim 1, further comprising sending an electronic
mail to one or more members identified in one mail alias of the one
or more mail aliases.
11. The method of claim 1, further comprising: creating the
electronic mail to be sent to the plurality of recipients, said
creating including an indication that one or more mail aliases are
allowed to be automatically created; and sending the electronic
mail to the plurality of recipients.
12. A method of dynamically creating mail aliases usable in
electronic communications, said method comprising: creating an
electronic mail to be sent to a plurality of members via a mail
alias, said creating including an indication that one or more other
mail aliases are allowed to be automatically created; sending the
electronic mail to the plurality of members via the mail alias;
receiving one or more replies to the electronic mail from one or
more members of the plurality of members; determining whether a
predetermined event has occurred; determining whether at least one
of a mail alias of non-responders and a mail alias of responders is
to be created; creating the mail alias of non-responders, in
response to the determining indicating the mail alias of
non-responders is to be created and in response to the occurrence
of the predetermined event, said mail alias of non-responders
including the one or more members of the plurality of members that
have not responded to the electronic mail and excluding the one or
more members of the plurality of members that have responded to the
electronic mail; creating the mail alias of responders, in response
to the determining indicating the mail alias of responders is to be
created and in response to the occurrence of the predetermined
event, said mail alias of responders including the one or more
members of the plurality of members that have responded to the
electronic mail and excluding the one or more members of the
plurality of members that have not responded to the electronic
mail; and employing at least one of the mail alias of
non-responders and the mail alias of responders to send an
electronic mail to members of the at least one of the mail alias of
non-responders and the mail alias of responders.
13. A system of dynamically creating mail aliases usable in
electronic communications, said system comprising: a communications
unit adapted to receive a response to an electronic mail sent to a
plurality of recipients, wherein one or more responses from one or
more recipients of the plurality of recipients are received, and to
automatically create one or more mail aliases, in response to
receiving the one or more responses.
14. The system of claim 13, wherein the communications unit adapted
to automatically create is further adapted to automatically create
a mail alias of non-responders that includes the one or more
recipients of the plurality of recipients that have not responded
to the electronic mail and excludes the one or more recipients of
the plurality of recipients that have responded to the electronic
mail.
15. The system of claim 13, wherein the communications unit adapted
to automatically create is further adapted to automatically create
a mail alias of responders that includes the one or more recipients
of the plurality of recipients that have responded to the
electronic mail and excludes the one or more recipients of the
plurality of recipients that have not responded to the electronic
mail.
16. An article of manufacture comprising: at least one computer
usable medium having computer readable program code logic to create
mail aliases usable in electronic communications, said computer
readable program code logic when executing performing the
following: receiving a response to an electronic mail sent to a
plurality of recipients, said receiving comprising receiving one or
more responses from one or more recipients of the plurality of
recipients; and automatically creating one or more mail aliases, in
response to receiving the one or more responses.
17. The article of manufacture of claim 16, wherein the
automatically creating comprises automatically creating a mail
alias of non-responders that includes the one or more recipients of
the plurality of recipients that have not responded to the
electronic mail and excludes the one or more recipients of the
plurality of recipients that have responded to the electronic
mail.
18. The article of manufacture of claim 16, wherein the
automatically creating comprises automatically creating a mail
alias of responders that includes the one or more recipients of the
plurality of recipients that have responded to the electronic mail
and excludes the one or more recipients of the plurality of
recipients that have not responded to the electronic mail.
19. The article of manufacture of claim 16, wherein the
automatically creating is performed in response to receiving the
one or more responses and in response to an occurrence of a
predetermined event.
20. The article of manufacture of claim 16, further comprising:
creating the electronic mail to be sent to the plurality of
recipients, said creating including an indication that one or more
mail aliases are allowed to be automatically created; and sending
the electronic mail to the plurality of recipients.
Description
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] This invention relates, in general, to electronic
communications, and in particular, to the efficient creation of
mail aliases employed in sending electronic mail.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] To facilitate communicating electronically, mail aliases are
employed. A mail alias enables a plurality of recipients of an
electronic mail (e-mail) communication to be specified by one name
(an alias) assigned to that plurality of recipients. Mail aliases
are particularly useful when electronic mail is to be sent to a
group of recipients more than one time.
[0003] In order to use a mail alias, the mail alias is created and
a set of members (e.g., recipients) is associated with that alias.
Then, when an e-mail is to be sent out to the members of the alias,
the mail alias is typed into the TO section of the e-mail header,
instead of the individual members of the alias. By invoking the
send function, the e-mail is sent to the members associated with
that mail alias.
[0004] A mail alias is created as a static entity. That is, the
mail alias remains defined to a set of members, until that alias is
manually updated. To update the alias, the author of the alias (or
another entity) adds a new member, deletes a member or makes other
changes. This manual process is tedious and prone to error.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0005] Based on the foregoing, a need exists for a capability to
dynamically create mail aliases. For example, a need exists for a
capability that enables mail aliases to be created automatically,
in response to replies received to an e-mail sent using a mail
alias.
[0006] The shortcomings of the prior art are overcome and
additional advantages are provided through the provision of a
method of dynamically creating mail aliases usable in electronic
communications. The method includes, for instance, receiving a
response to an electronic mail sent to a plurality of recipients,
the receiving including receiving one or more responses from one or
more recipients of the plurality of recipients; and automatically
creating one or more mail aliases, in response to receiving the one
or more responses.
[0007] In a further aspect of the present invention, a method of
dynamically creating mail aliases usable in electronic
communications is provided, in which the method includes, for
instance: creating an electronic mail to be sent to a plurality of
members via a mail alias, the creating including an indication that
one or more other mail aliases are allowed to be automatically
created; sending the electronic mail to the plurality of members
via the mail alias; receiving one or more replies to the electronic
mail from one or more members of the plurality of members;
determining whether a predetermined event has occurred; determining
whether at least one of a mail alias of non-responders and a mail
alias of responders is to be created; creating the mail alias of
non-responders, in response to the determining indicating the mail
alias of non-responders is to be created and in response to the
occurrence of the predetermined event, the mail alias of
non-responders including the one or more members of the plurality
of members that have not responded to the electronic mail and
excluding the one or more members of the plurality of members that
have responded to the electronic mail; creating the mail alias of
responders, in response to the determining indicating the mail
alias of responders is to be created and in response to the
occurrence of the predetermined event, the mail alias of responders
including the one or more members of the plurality of members that
have responded to the electronic mail and excluding the one or more
members of the plurality of members that have not responded to the
electronic mail; and employing at least one of the mail alias of
non-responders and the mail alias of responders to send an
electronic mail to members of the at least one of the mail alias of
non-responders and the mail alias of responders.
[0008] System and computer program products corresponding to one or
more of the above-summarized methods are also described and claimed
herein.
[0009] Additional features and advantages are realized through the
techniques of the present invention. Other embodiments and aspects
of the invention are described in detail herein and are considered
a part of the claimed invention.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0010] One or more aspects of the present invention are
particularly pointed out and distinctly claimed as examples in the
claims at the conclusion of the specification. The foregoing and
other objects, features, and advantages of the invention are
apparent from the following detailed description taken in
conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which:
[0011] FIG. 1 depicts one embodiment of a communications
environment to incorporate and use one or more aspects of the
present invention;
[0012] FIG. 2 depicts one embodiment of the logic used in creating
a mail alias, in accordance with an aspect of the present
invention;
[0013] FIG. 3 depicts one embodiment of the logic employed in
sending and receiving replies to an e-mail communication, in
accordance with an aspect of the present invention;
[0014] FIG. 4 depicts one embodiment of the logic used to
dynamically create modified mail aliases, in accordance with an
aspect of the present invention;
[0015] FIG. 5a pictorially depicts one example of a mail alias used
in accordance with an aspect of the present invention;
[0016] FIGS. 5b-5e pictorially depict examples of dynamically
created mail aliases, in accordance with an aspect of the present
invention; and
[0017] FIG. 6 depicts one embodiment of a computer program product
to incorporate one or more aspects of the present invention
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
[0018] In accordance with an aspect of the present invention, a
capability is provided that enables mail aliases to be dynamically
created. In one example, in response to receiving replies from an
e-mail communication, one or more mail aliases are automatically
created. As one example, the e-mail communication is sent via a
mail alias, and the one or more automatically created mail aliases
are modified versions of the e-mail alias used to send the e-mail
communication. As used herein, an e-mail or e-mail communication
includes any transmission of information that is capable of
receiving a response, including, for instance, any electronic
transmission of information; and a recipient is an intended
receiver of the e-mail.
[0019] One embodiment of a communications environment to
incorporate and use one or more aspects of the invention is
described with reference to FIG. 1. A communications environment
100 may include, for instance, a communications unit 102 coupled to
a plurality of other communications units 104 via one or more
connections 106. A communications unit may include, for instance, a
personal computer, a laptop, a handheld unit, a workstation, a
mainframe, a mini computer or any other type of unit capable of
sending and/or receiving e-mails. Communications unit 102 may or
may not be the same type of communications unit as communications
units 104. Additionally, each of communications units 104 may or
may not be the same type of unit as another communications unit
104. The connections coupling the units are, for instance, any type
of network connection, such as an internet connection, a local area
network (LAN), a wide area network (WAN); a token ring; an Ethernet
connection, etc.
[0020] Each communications unit 102, 104 executes, for example, an
operating system 108, such as, for instance, AIX.RTM., offered by
International Business Machines Corporation, Armonk, N.Y.; Linux;
Windows.RTM.; or other operating systems, etc. (AIX.RTM. and
IBM.RTM. are registered trademarks of International Business
Machines Corporation, Armonk, N.Y., U.S.A. Windows is a registered
trademark of Microsoft Corporation, Redmond, Wash. Other names used
herein may be registered trademarks, trademarks or product names of
International Business Machines Corporation or other companies.)
The operating system of one communications unit may be the same or
different from another communications unit. Further, in other
examples, one or more of the communications units may not include
an operating system. Although three (3) communications units are
depicted in FIG. 1, more or less units may be included. In one
example, communications unit 102 is communicatively coupled to a
number of communications units.
[0021] Communications unit 102 includes, for instance, an e-mail
sender 110, which sends e-mail communications to one or more
communications units 104. In this example, each of communications
units 104 includes an e-mail responder 112 that receives and
responds to the e-mail communications received from e-mail sender
110.
[0022] To facilitate the sending of an e-mail from sender 110 to a
plurality of e-mail responders 112, a mail alias is created that
includes the members destined to receive the e-mail. The mail alias
is created manually by the author inputting each member in the
alias. In one example, each member is identified by an e-mail
address, and optionally, a name. In other embodiments, each member
is identified by other criteria, such as a mail alias for one or
more members.
[0023] As one example, assume an e-mail is to be sent to a
plurality of people interested in brown bag lecture sessions. An
alias is created, named Brown-Bag, that includes the following
members, as examples: Tom, Dick, Harry, Jack, Jill, Jane and Joe.
The alias, Brown-Bag, is typed in the e-mail header (e.g., TO
section), and the e-mail program knows to send the e-mail to each
member of the alias. The content of the e-mail may be: "Hey folks,
we have a speaker coming to talk about object oriented data
structures this Friday. Please let me know one way or the other if
you can attend so I know what size of a room to reserve."
[0024] The e-mail is sent to the members of the alias and responses
are expected back. Assume, however, that only two members, Dick and
Jane, respond within a predefined amount of time. At some point,
the e-mail sender wants to send out another e-mail regarding the
brown bag session to occur this Friday. For example, the sender
wants to send the message again to those that have not responded
(e.g., Tom, Harry, Jack, Jill and Joe). As a further example,
instead of or in addition to sending the message to those that have
not responded, the sender wants to send a further communication to
those that have responded.
[0025] To facilitate sending the message(s), other mail aliases are
created. In accordance with an aspect of the present invention, one
or more other mail aliases are automatically created based on the
responses received to the e-mail communication. This is described
in further detail with reference to FIGS. 2-4.
[0026] Referring initially to FIG. 2, to enable the dynamic
creation of mail aliases, certain setup is performed. In one
embodiment, the setup is performed during creation of the initial
mail alias, and it is performed by software logic, firmware and/or
hardware components of communications unit 102 (FIG. 1) (e.g., as
part of the e-mail program executing within the communications
unit). This logic is described with reference to FIG. 2.
[0027] With reference to FIG. 2, in one embodiment, a mail alias is
created, STEP 200. This mail alias has a name (e.g., Brown-Bag),
and includes a plurality of members designated by addresses, names,
identifiers and/or any other means of identifying the members. The
mail alias is created using, for instance, a graphical user
interface (GUI).
[0028] An inquiry is made as to whether the author of this mail
alias desires for this mail alias to be self-modifying, INQUIRY
202. If the author wishes for this mail alias to be self-modifying,
thereby allowing one or more other mail aliases to be dynamically
created, the author designates this mail alias as self-modifying,
STEP 204. In one example, this is accomplished by using a check off
box included in the alias creation GUI to indicate that the mail
alias is to be self-modifying. Processing of the create mail alias
is complete. Should the user not want the mail alias to be
self-modifying, then it is not indicated as self-modifying, and
processing of the create mail alias is complete.
[0029] Some time subsequent to creating the mail alias (e.g.,
seconds, minutes, hours, days, weeks, months, or any other desired
time interval), e-mail sender 110 (FIG. 1) sends out an e-mail
communication to those members listed in the mail alias. One
embodiment of the logic associated with this processing is
described with reference to FIG. 3. Again, this processing is
performed by software logic, firmware and/or hardware components of
communications unit 102 (FIG. 1).
[0030] Referring to FIG. 3, the sender (e.g., sender 102 of FIG. 1)
selects the mail alias to be used to send out the e-mail
communication, STEP 300 (FIG. 3). In this example, the mail alias
created above (e.g., Brown-Bag) is selected to send an e-mail
communication to the members of that alias. The e-mail
communication is sent to the members of the mail alias, STEP
302.
[0031] A determination is made as to whether modified mail aliases
are desired, INQUIRY 304. This determination is made, for instance,
based on the mark placed on the mail alias GUI when the mail alias
was created. In other embodiments, this determination is made, for
instance, when an e-mail to multiple individuals is sent or
received and based on a prompted inquiry as to whether the modified
alias is desired. If modified aliases are not desired, then
processing continues as before (e.g., wait for replies, etc.).
However, if modified aliases are desired, then processing
continues, as described herein.
[0032] In response to sending out the e-mail communication via the
mail alias, one or more replies are received from one or more
members of the mail alias, STEP 306. These replies are associated
with this e-mail communication based on an identification (e.g.,
message number, etc.) placed in the e-mail by the system or
manually and returned in the replies. In response to receiving
these replies, one or more other mail aliases are dynamically
created, STEP 308. In one example, the one or more other mail
aliases are different versions of the mail alias used in sending
the e-mail. The other mail aliases are created based on the
responses (e.g., whether or not a response was received), but not,
in this embodiment, on the content of the response. Further,
details regarding creating the other aliases are described
below.
[0033] Thereafter, at some selected time, another e-mail
communication may be sent using one of the other mail aliases
dynamically created in STEP 308, INQUIRY 310. If an e-mail
communication is not to be sent, then processing is complete.
However, if an e-mail communication is to be sent, this e-mail
communication can include the same message as sent previously or a
different message tailored for the members of a selected modified
alias. Processing continues with STEP 300 in which a mail alias is
selected. In this particular example, one of the dynamically
created mail aliases is selected to be used in sending the e-mail
communication.
[0034] Further details regarding creating the one or more other
aliases are described with reference to FIG. 4. Again, this
processing is performed by software logic, firmware, and/or
hardware components of communications unit 102. With this
processing, the alias author (or other user) determines when
another alias based on responses is to be created. That is, the
author specifies the occurrence of an event that triggers dynamic
creation of at least one other mail alias. Examples of events
include an elapse of a predetermined amount of time (e.g., after x
number of days, after x number of hours, after x number of minutes,
etc.), receipt of a specified number of replies, etc. Many other
events are possible. As examples, the author specifies the events
at alias creation time or as a default indication in the e-mail
application.
[0035] Thus, in one embodiment, the logic determines whether the
predetermined event has occurred, INQUIRY 400 (FIG. 4). If the
event has not occurred, then another alias is not created, and
processing remains at INQUIRY 400. However, if the event has
occurred, then one or more aliases are dynamically created.
[0036] In one particular example, a determination is made as to
whether an alias of non-responders is to be created, INQUIRY 402.
If an alias of non-responders is to be created, then that mail
alias is created, STEP 404. In one example, this mail alias
includes only those members of the previous mail alias that have
not responded. Those members that have responded are excluded from
this alias. To create the mail alias, a name is given to the alias
by the system (e.g., logic of the e-mail system). Since, in this
example, this alias is a modified version of Brown-Bag or otherwise
related to Brown-Bag, a name similar to Brown-Bag is assigned to
this alias, e.g., Brown-Bag.1. This name is set apart from the
original alias by italics, in one example, to indicate that it is
dynamically created, and in one embodiment, temporary. The logic
then selects the members from the original alias that have not
responded and adds them to this alias. Thus, in this example,
Brown-Bag.1 includes Tom, Harry, Jack, Jill and Joe.
[0037] Pictorially, FIG. 5a depicts one example of Brown-Bag (500),
along with its members, and FIG. 5b depicts one example of
dynamically created Brown-Bag.1 502, along with its members. As
shown, Brown-Bag.1 includes a subset of the members of
Brown-Bag.
[0038] To send an e-mail to Brown-Bag.1, the user starts typing the
letters B-r-o . . . and the mail program provides two options:
Brown-Bag and Brown-Bag.1. Brown-Bag. 1 is selected and the e-mail
is sent.
[0039] In addition to Brown-Bag.1, other mail aliases can be
dynamically created, in response to receiving further replies. For
instance, in response to sending an e-mail communication to the
members of Brown-Bag.1 (e.g., Tom, Harry, Jack, Jill and Joe), Tom,
Harry and Joe respond. Then, in accordance with an aspect of the
present invention, another alias (e.g., Brown-Bag.2) is created, as
described herein, which includes those members that still have not
responded (e.g., Jack and Jill). One example of dynamically created
Brown-Bag.2 (504) is depicted in FIG. 5c. This process can be
repeated until all members have responded or until desired.
[0040] Returning to FIG. 4, moreover, in this particular example, a
further determination is made as to whether another alias is to be
created, INQUIRY 406. This alias is an alias of responders. If this
alias is not to be created, then processing is complete. However,
if this alias is to be created, then it is created, as described
above for non-responders, STEP 408. In this example, the mail alias
includes those members that have responded (e.g., resp-Brown-Bag.1
(506, FIG. 5d) includes Dick and Jane; resp-Brown-Bag.2 (508, FIG.
5e) includes, Dick, Jane, Tom, Harry, Joe; etc.) These aliases are
set apart, in one embodiment by italics and underlining, as
examples. The dynamic creation of responder aliases allows a user
to easily send further communications to those members that have
responded.
[0041] Although the above logic describes the creation of two types
of aliases: non-responder and responder, these are only examples.
The logic can create one type of alias (i.e., non-responder,
responder or any other type) or more than one type of alias that
may or may not include responder and/or non-responder. There are
many variations possible.
[0042] Described in detail above is a capability for automatically
creating and using an adaptive e-mail alias, which tracks responses
and self-adjusts its values. The adjustment is based on detected
responses in the e-mail system. For instance, an e-mail
communication is sent out via a mail alias. Responses to that
e-mail communication are automatically tracked and one or more
other e-mail aliases, based on the responses, are automatically
created. No user intervention is required in the tracking and
dynamic alteration of the aliases. This tracking and dynamic
alteration is controlled by the applications that generate e-mails.
These dynamically created e-mail aliases are, for instance,
modified versions of the alias used to send out the e-mail
communication.
[0043] One or more aspects of the present invention can be included
in an article of manufacture (e.g., one or more computer program
products) having, for instance, computer usable media. The media
has therein, for instance, computer readable program code means of
logic (e.g., instructions, code, commands, etc.) to provide and
facilitate the capabilities of the present invention. The article
of manufacture can be included as a part of a computer system or
sold separately.
[0044] One example of an article of manufacture or a computer
program product incorporating one or more aspects of the present
invention is described with reference to FIG. 6. A computer program
product 600 includes, for instance, one or more computer usable
media 602 to store computer readable program code means or logic
604 thereon to provide and facilitate one or more aspects of the
present invention. The medium can be an electronic, magnetic,
optical, electromagnetic, infrared, or semiconductor system (or
apparatus or device) or a propagation medium. Examples of a
computer readable medium include a semiconductor or solid state
memory, magnetic tape, a removable computer diskette, a random
access memory (RAM), a read-only memory (ROM), a rigid magnetic
disk and an optical disk. Examples of optical disks include compact
disk-read only memory (CD-ROM), compact disk-read/write (CD-R/W)
and DVD.
[0045] A sequence of program instructions or a logical assembly of
one or more interrelated modules defined by one or more computer
readable program code means or logic direct the performance of one
or more aspects of the present invention.
[0046] Advantageously, mail aliases are automatically created based
on responses to an e-mail communication. This provides an efficient
mechanism to enable additional e-mail communications to be sent to
selected members of the previous communication (e.g., exclusively
to those who have not responded, exclusively to those that have
responded, etc.). This is particularly useful when large groups of
members are targets of the e-mail communication.
[0047] Advantageously, a self-modifying mail alias is provided.
Based on responses detected by, for instance, the mail system, the
original N members of the mail alias is reduced by N-1 for each
respondent, in one example. Thus, a modified mail alias results
having M members where M<N.
[0048] Although various embodiments are described above, these are
only examples. For instance, many variations may be made to the
communications environment described herein without departing from
the spirit of the present invention. As an example, although three
communications units are shown, many other communications units may
be included in the communications environment. One or more aspects
of the present invention are used to send e-mail communications to
any number of e-mail responders. A communications unit may include
one or more responders and/or senders. A communications unit can be
a sender, a responder, or both. Further, the operating system may
be other than the examples provided herein, and there are other
examples of communications units. Many other variations are
possible.
[0049] Moreover, although in the examples herein, the e-mail
communication is sent via a mail alias and one or more other mail
alias are created based on responses to the e-mail communication,
in other embodiments, the e-mail is sent to a plurality of
recipients absent use of a mail alias (e.g., by inputting the
recipients in the TO section of the e-mail header). Additionally,
even though in the examples herein the dynamically created mail
aliases are modified versions of a mail alias sent to a larger
population of members, in further examples, the dynamically created
mail aliases are not modified versions of the sending mail alias.
Yet further, although examples of mail aliases are provided herein,
these are only examples. The names used in the examples and the
contents of those examples are just provided for clarity purposes.
A mail alias created herein may have any name and/or may include
any designation of members, as desired. Further, in other
embodiments, a mail alias may be dynamically created based on
content of the replies. Many other variations are possible and are
included within the scope of the claims appended herein.
[0050] In addition to the above, one or more steps in the logic
flows can be deleted, performed in a different order, altered or
added. As one example, to create one or more modified aliases,
creation of an alias begins in response to receiving a reply to the
e-mail and continues being revised, in response to replies, until
the dynamically created e-mail is used to send an e-mail
communication. In that scenario, the predetermined event is receipt
of a reply. Many other variations are also possible.
[0051] Moreover, an environment may include an emulator (e.g.,
software or other emulation mechanisms), in which a particular
architecture or subset thereof is emulated. In such an environment,
one or more emulation functions of the emulator can implement one
or more aspects of the present invention, even though a computer
executing the emulator may have a different architecture than the
capabilities being emulated. As one example, in emulation mode, the
specific instruction or operation being emulated is decoded, and an
appropriate emulation function is built to implement the individual
instruction or operation.
[0052] In an emulation environment, a host computer includes, for
instance, a memory to store instructions and data; an instruction
fetch unit to fetch instructions from memory and to optionally,
provide local buffering for the fetched instruction; an instruction
decode unit to receive the instruction fetch unit and to determine
the type of instructions that have been fetched; and an instruction
execution unit to execute the instructions. Execution may include
loading data into a register for memory; storing data back to
memory from a register; or performing some type of arithmetic or
logical operation, as determined by the decode unit. In one
example, each unit is implemented in software. For instance, the
operations being performed by the units are implemented as one or
more subroutines within emulator software.
[0053] Further, a data processing system suitable for storing
and/or executing program code is usable that includes at least one
processor coupled directly or indirectly to memory elements through
a system bus. The memory elements include, for instance, local
memory employed during actual execution of the program code, bulk
storage, and cache memory which provide temporary storage of at
least some program code in order to reduce the number of times code
must be retrieved from bulk storage during execution.
[0054] Input/Output or I/O devices (including, but not limited to,
keyboards, displays, pointing devices, etc.) can be coupled to the
system either directly or through intervening I/O controllers.
Network adapters may also be coupled to the system to enable the
data processing system to become coupled to other data processing
systems or remote printers or storage devices through intervening
private or public networks. Modems, cable modems, and Ethernet
cards are just a few of the available types of network
adapters.
[0055] The capabilities of one or more aspects of the present
invention can be implemented in software, firmware, hardware, or
some combination thereof. At least one program storage device
readable by a machine embodying at least one program of
instructions executable by the machine to perform the capabilities
of the present invention can be provided.
[0056] The flow diagrams depicted herein are just examples. There
may be many variations to these diagrams or the steps (or
operations) described therein without departing from the spirit of
the invention. For instance, the steps may be performed in a
differing order, or steps may be added, deleted, or modified. All
of these variations are considered a part of the claimed
invention.
[0057] Although embodiments have been depicted and described in
detail there, it will be apparent to those skilled in the relevant
art that various modifications, additions, substitutions and the
like can be made without departing from the spirit of the invention
and these are therefore considered to be within the scope of the
invention as defined in the following claims.
* * * * *